History – Page 32 – Gregory Scott Blog

Israel Travel Journal, Day 1

When I began this trip to Israel, I hadn’t planned on blogging, but after I got here I changed my mind. I’m not promising to blog every day. We’ll just see what happens.

This day’s sights included the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Upper Room. If you’ve never been here, the thing that strikes one, especially looking toward Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, is how hilly this area is.

I feel stupid for not having known that, but the others in our group were surprised as well. The topography reminded me of the San Fransisco Bay Area.

Jerusalem sits on a hill, with a valley to the north and east (the Kidron Valley) and mountains surrounding the valley. Things make sense to me now, like Jesus saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem…” (Matt. 20:18). Continue reading “Israel Travel Journal, Day 1”

Israel Travel Journal (Prologue)

In February 2010, the wife and I took a trip to Israel with 17 other people. The trip was organized by a friend, Ji Yun, and was led by Arie Bar-David.

I had never had a desire to go to Israel. I had told my wife when Celebrity or Crystal Cruises could figure out how to get a cruise ship into Jerusalem, I would be there.

I know that doesn’t sound very spiritual, but I’m a Kingdom guy. Jesus said he took the Kingdom away from the Jews and gave it to a people (the Gentiles) who would bear fruit with it. (Matthew 21:43). Jesus warned the Jews that Jerusalem would be destroyed for having rejected its savior, and it was destroyed in 70 A.D.

So, I didn’t think, and I still don’t think, there is anything holy per se about the Holy Land. I didn’t think the Holy Spirit would be present in any greater degree there than it is here, and I still don’t. In fact, I think the opposite, which I explain in one of my blog posts from the trip. Continue reading “Israel Travel Journal (Prologue)”

The Beast Of Revelation-Part III

In two previous blog posts I gave the evidence from Revelation that the beast was Nero Caesar. I’ll conclude here with two more clues which point to Nero.

1. His Death. Revelation 13:8 says those who aren’t Christians will worship the beast. As I mentioned in a previous post, Nero was one of the first Roman Emperors (along with Caligula) who claimed to have become a god while still alive. Then comes these two verses:

“If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.”

Revelation 13:9-10. Sure enough, in 68 A.D., Nero died by the sword, his own; he committed suicide. Continue reading “The Beast Of Revelation-Part III”

Demystifying The 42 Months Of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is supposed to bring a blessing to those who read it. (Revelation 1:3).

Unfortunately, the interpretations taken by many are so fanciful and speculative it’s hard to see how they could possibly be blessed by it.

This is true with some of the interpretations of the 42 months mentioned in Revelation 11:2 & 13:5.

If you’ve been reading the posts here you know I’ve taken the interpretation that Revelation is primarily a book about the destruction of Jerusalem and events that occurred prior to its destruction in 70 A.D.

Continue reading “Demystifying The 42 Months Of Revelation”

An Ironic Twist Of History

If you are familiar with Roman history, you may know that the Ancient Romans believed the Roman Empire would last forever.

Rome, even today, is still called the “eternal city.”

I think it’s ironic then that the Lord planted the flag of the kingdom of God–a kingdom that will last forever–in the midst of the Roman Empire.

It’s proof to me the Lord has a sense of humor. GS